[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

21: Dork

ZACH

Zia and I walked together towards the cafeteria without speaking a word. It was quite awkward but at the same time, very comfortable.

"Hey, why so serious?" Zia finally broke the ice. I did not notice we are on the counter already.

"Nothing, just thinking about something." I decided to change the topic. I don't want to ruin this opportunity with her. "So,  What do want?"

"I'm buying the food. You buy the drinks. Is that alright with you?"

"Sure. No big deal." I ordered two drinks and we proceeded to the cashier.

She payed first and when it was my turn, I swear I wanted the ground to swallow me right at this very moment.

"What's the problem?" Zia asked, as if reading my mind.

"Well, this is kind of embarrassing but I just realized I gave all my money to someone earlier.

This is too humiliating! The second time I embarrassed myself and come to think of it, this is just our first meeting!

"No, it's fine. I got this." Zia payed for our drinks.

"Look, I'm sorry. I di-"

" Don't apologize. It's okay. Really." She stopped me from what I am about to say and gave me her sweetest smile.

"Next time, let me treat you for lunch if that's okay with you?" I mustered up enough courage to asked this. I can't embarrass myself any further.

"Okay. Next time."

"WOW! LOVE BIRDS!" Zia and I turned to a familiar voice from behind us.

"Oh. Penelope." Zia stared at her sadly. 

What's with that look?

Penelope rolled her eyes at Zia.

What is wrong with this woman? Zia didn't even do anything.

"You better come with me. Now!" She yelled at me.

"What? No, it's lunch time and I'm eating with Zia."

She's here again, interfering with my personal life.

"Oh yeah? Seriously?" She crossed her arms. "You're choosing her over me?"

"Wait, are you serious? It's not like I'm doing anything bad. We're just taking lunch. And also, why do I have to explain myself to you?" 

What's with her today?

I noticed that a lot of people are staring at us right now.

All of a sudden, Penelope smiled and walked towards me.

This feels like the first time I met her. Is she going to threaten me again?

"Come with me or else." She warned.

"Or else what?"

"I'm sorry but we both agreed that we will be eating lunch together, Penelope." Zia finally spoke.

Penelope glanced over her. "Then, eat with us. Join our table. It's not that hard."

We didn't have the chance to respond because Penelope already started walking.

"I guessed we just have to follow her or else, we wouldn't be able to eat peacefully. No matter where we seat, she'd kill us with her death stares." Zia joked and we both laughed together as we followed Penelope.

When we arrived at her usual spot, I noticed that there are a lot of so called "populars" here but all I recognized were Penelope and her two girl friends.

"Babe? What's happening?" Someone who I think is Penelope's boyfriend asked her as he wrapped his arms around Penelope's waist. 

So this is probably Jared, who keeps on ditching Penelope as what her beast friends told me when we were shopping.

"Well, babe. They are eating with us." Penelope answered him.

"Are you serious?" He looked disgusted.

"Yes, but just for today, babe. Then she faced us. "Please, take a seat."

I seated beside Penelope and Zia sat across me.

"Babe, I think you got some explaining to do."

"Jared, this is..." She faced me and looked back at her boyfriend again, "This person right here," she points at me "is helping me win as the Campus Queen!" 

She said excitedly like she already won the crown.

"You mean that dork?" Another boy asked and everyone except, Penelope, me and Zia laughed.

I decided to ignore what the other boy said and just focused on my food.  I wish I could tell them that calling someone a dork doesn't make then cooler, but they're probably too dumb to understand that.

"What happened to the code, Penelope?" Vanessa asked. "10s eat with 10s, Class A-"

"Shut up, okay?" Penelope spat, annoyance was clearly evident in her voice.

"He is making an article for me and everyone in this school is going to read it! They will know why I deserve to win as the next Campus Queen!" She exclaimed.

"Whoa! That's so...unique." Another girl spoke for the first time. 

I think she is also one of the candidates for the Campus Queen pageant. Of course I did a little background check about the pageant.

But if that is one of Penelope's rival for the crown, why is she allowing her to eat with them?

Argh! My head hurts. 

I really don't understand Penelope.

One moment, I think I'm starting to get her, and then next, it feels like she's someone I never met.

"Are you okay?" Zia whispered.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I smiled at her.

Am I really?